Madison’s love for the outdoors began as a young child exploring the pine forests of East Texas, but her passion for working with special needs youth began at 16 when she spent a summer volunteering at a therapeutic riding center in her hometown of Tyler, Texas. Immediately she knew that she wanted that experience to be a part of the rest of her life. She continued with that passion volunteering with the ARC of Smith County as a counselor and eventually became the Recreation Director of Camp Kennedy, the ARC’s summer camp for adults with special needs. In college she took her passion for working with special needs individuals in the outdoors and turned it into her career path by entering the Therapeutic Recreation Program at Texas State University to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). In 2016 she became an Alumni of Texas State University by completing her Therapeutic Recreation Internship at Texas Neuro Rehab Center in Austin, Texas and successfully passed her board exams to become a Recreation Therapist.
Madison’s relationship with Candlelight Ranch began as an Intern in 2013 and continued as a volunteer and summer employee until her employment as a fulltime staff member in 2018! She also donated her horse Comet to the care of Candlelight Ranch so that he may spend his days bringing joy to the children of the Ranch.
When she is not working to bring others to the outdoors she is in the outdoors herself. Hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, and her most favorite, gardening! She also has 3 puppies and a husband that she loves to bring along on her adventures.